Bouyancy problem

[Codiak]

Tonight, I had my first confined water dive and had some bouyancy problems; I was too bouyant. The instructor said that my wet suit was too big for me and was keeping pockets of air inside. Wouldn't these bubbles eventually work their way out of the suit?

For what it's worth: I'm 6' 2", 202 pounds. I wore a 7mm Seaquest farmer john style, size XXXL. The suit feels snug, though I could occasionally feel the water moving around inside it.


Phil

Phil,
Now that we know your instructor worked with you on your weighting (20lbs integrated per your followup) did you get the answer you were looking for?


Reading between the lines: (filtered against typical new diver discussions) Perhaps there are other questions?

• Bouyancy - in general
  It's normal to have issues as a new diver. With experience and as the divers comfort level improves the amount of additional weight required to descend normally drops. Alterations in equipment configurations can and will change weight requirements especially exposure suits/tank (type/size). Confined water under supervision (instructor/buddy) is a safe and less stressful way for divers to try new configurations and techniques.
  • too bouyant
    This is a common discussion point as many new divers seem to feel the need to drop to the bottom like a rock; rather, than gracefully floating down to the desired depth. Dropping like a rock actually meets some new divers expectations. And while bottom-feeding in closed water sessions might be desirable for skills training. once in open water the marine life prefers angels. "Perfect practice makes perfect" yet how far along you are in training might influence the instructors choice of how bouyant he wants you. Learning to properly adjust your own weight is part of the new diver experience and taught as part of the class.
  • 20lbs -???? !@#
    Feels like a lot of weight! You have to lug it around town, put it on your hips, get in and out of the water... argh!@# "I'm too old for this crap" well maybe you aren't, yet ;-) Honestly, go back to the first bullet... it should get lighter. Or you may choose not to dive conditions that require 7mm thus not requiring it altogether. You might find that you love cold(er) water diving and get a drysuit which may reduce the weight as well. (Personally it cut mine by 2/3rds)

• Instructor
  Trust in your instructor is important. He's right there if you have questions ask and listen. If you trust them with your life why not equipment advice? It nagged me at first "Is he just trying to sell me more?" However, in the long run a store has advantages in being honest, repeat business is a must.
  • Specific to your posts the advice from your instructor is consistent with filler details from this forum. Specifically, he provided good advice about the fit which you confirm with "moving water". Then he helped you weight yourself with 20lbs, not an unreasonable amount for a 7mm 3X Farmer John. So far so good... "trust but verify" isn't a bad way to go through life...

Enjoy your diving!

 

[mafiajoe]

...though I could occasionally feel the water moving around inside it.


Phil

Sorry,it's too big!

 

[idocsteve]

[*]20lbs -???? !@#
Feels like a lot of weight! You have to lug it around town, put it on your hips, get in and out of the water... argh!@# "I'm too old for this crap" well maybe you aren't, yet ;-) Honestly, go back to the first bullet... it should get lighter.

Is it a lot of weight?

I dunno, the Op is a big guy.

I'm about 225 lbs, I consider myself to be experienced, at least "past the noobie stage" with about 180 logged dives, many in cold water situations...and I have worked to shed every uneeded lb of lead possible.

I dive a 7mm in the cold water of the NorthEast Atlantic, and with a pony bottle adding 2 lbs I use 18 lbs of lead for what is a true total of 20lbs.

Now given, the Op is a bit lighter than me although we don't know how much of his weight is buoyant adipose tissue, and there's an extra 5 lbs differential for fresh water, assuming the pool IS freshwater, but I'm not seeing his weighting, especially for a new diver to be all that out of line.

 

[dogglebe]

I do trust my instructor; I just like to get more than one opinion on things and hear all the facts; I've always been this way.

I purchased the suit, second hand, last fall. And it was a tighter fit. Since then, I've been hitting the gym. While I lost only a few pounds, I have been building a little bit of muscle, so I am physically slightly smaller than last year.


Phil

 

[mafiajoe]

so I am physically slightly smaller than last year.
Phil

....and now the suit is too big
Sorry I don't mean to take the piss,but that's what happens when you change your body shape.With an item such as a wetsuit,that has to be snug,even a slight change counts....unfortunately in my case the change happens to be the opposite of yours